(May 1) Rev. Fr. Noel Reyes of the Archdiocese of Chicago renewed his private profession of the vow of the Rogate before members of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus and witnessed by his close friends and family at the Father Hannibal Formation Center in Merville Park, Parañaque. The event coincided with the solemn vespers and adoration for holy vocations, with Rev. Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ as presider.
In his homily, Fr. Cajigal related how Fr. Reyes has been continuously moved by the spirit and charism of the Congregation, thus effectively living and renewing the Rogate in him and in his ministry. He also challenged the community to be more zealous in living and being witnesses of the Divine Command, which he says is “too much and too overwhelming to just keep to ourselves”. He encouraged the Congregation to share the Rogate and make everyone aware of the Lord’s command for His own consolation.
In his thanksgiving message, Fr. Reyes, who had his formation in the Rogationist Congregation until the Novitiate, shared that notwithstanding he did not become a Rogationist priest, he believes that God willed it for him to effectively live out the charism as a diocesan priest. As a parish priest in Chicago, he instituted a weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to pray for holy vocations in the Church, the primary mission of the Rogationists. He encouraged everyone, especially those in formation to pray and take care of their vocation and that the Lord of the harvest may grant the grace of fidelity and perseverance. After the celebration, a simple dinner was served.
Fr. Reyes made his private profession in 2021 in Rome in the presence of Rev. Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, RCJ, General Superior. He is currently the first Rogationist Associate from St. Matthew Province and the first Associate in the Congregation across the world to make the private profession of the vow of the Rogate. It is hoped that many other diocesan priests will be inspired by God to do the same.
